Amusement device



Patented July 7, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AMUSEMENT DEVICEMathilda Ramona Hollihan, Chester, Pa.

Application April 7, 1949, Serial No. 86,040

20 Claims.

This invention relates to luminescent devices and it is particularlyconcerned with manipulable devices, such as amusement devices,timepieces, stirring devices and toys adapted to. hold a personsinterest in the dark as well as in the light.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a luminescent deviceor article that is not only appealing to a child or adult in the lightbut holds a persons interest even in the dark because of its luminosity.Another object is to provide a luminescent toy comprising luminescentparticles or objects protected Within a light-transmitting envelope thatis simple and durable in construction and aspect and yet yields anever-changing pattern when moved or manipulated in simple fashion. Afurther object is to provide a toy having parts made of, or coated with,a luminescent material fixedly or movably mounted in a hollowlight-transmitting envelope in such a manner as to be permanentlyattractive in appearance and durable in construction. A further objectis to provide a toy of this type which is free of any poisoning dangerto a child or infant when placed in the mouth. Another object is toprovide a luminescent stirring rod for bar, home, or laboratory use.Another object is to provide a luminescent hourglass for use inmeasuring time in a dark room. These and other objects and advantages ofthe invention will be apparent from the drawing and the descriptionthereof hereinafter.

. In the drawing, which is illustrative of the invention,

Figure l is a face view of one embodiment, with half in section,

Figure 2 is a face view of. another embodiment, with half insection,

Figure 3 is a face View of another embodiment,

Figure 4 is an isometric view of another embodiment,

. Figure 5 is a pictorial view of another bodiment, the upper half insection,

Figure 6 is .a sectional view of another bodiment,

Figure '7 is a sectional view of. another bodiment, and

Figure 8 is a sectional view of another bodiment.

Figure 1 shows a childs rattle or teething implement. It comprises alight-transmitting closed envelope 2 in the form of a dumbell made up oftwo hollow end members 3 of a lighttransmitting material which may haveany de sired shape, such as that of a cube, pyramid, cylinder, cone,polyhedron, prism, parallelopiped or sphere (as actually shown). Eachmember 3 has a hollow chamber 4' and they are joined together by aconnecting piece 5 which has a hollow bore 6 and may be opaque, butpreferably is translucent or transparent. The end members 3 haveopenings 1 in registry with the bore 6 to provide an intercommunicating'channel between the end members. Within the envelope, there is provideda quantity of phosphorescent particles or granules 8, at least some ofwhich, and all if desired, are of sufiiciently small size to pass freelythrough the passage 6.

' Some of the particles may be of a non-luminous character and some orall of these particles may be too large to pass through the passage 6.In this embodiment, printed or other designs may also be present asshown in Figure 2. It is preferred to make the envelope in thisembodiment of a rigid material, though an elastic material is alsoattractive because of the ability to distort the dumbell into numerousshapes and also to pinch the member 5 to interrupt the flow of luminousparticles from one end chamber to the other when they are held one abovethe other. The envelope is preferably made entirely of a clear,colorless or colored, transparent material, though it may also besomewhat diffusing. particularly in selected areas, such as that of theconnecting piece 5. The end members 3 as well as the connecting member 5may be of contrasting appearance, for example, because of being made ofdifferent. colors. The envelope may be made of any suitable material offlexible, elastic, or rigid character. Any suitable plastic material maybe used such as regenerated cellulose, cel lulose derivatives, such asthe acetate or ethyl ether, vinyl resins, such as copolymers of vinylchloride and vinyl acetate or acrylonitrile, polyacrylonitrile, nylons,polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, rubber hydro-=chloride, natural rubber, thermosetting resins, such as ureaformaldehyde or melamine formaldehyde resins. These plastic materialsmay contain external plasticizers, if desired. Glass may be used, butthe plastics are preferred because of their non-shattering character.

Figure 2 is the same as Figure 1 except for the ornamentation of eachend member 3. While this ornamentation may be of any pattern whatsoever,it is representatively shown as comprising a number of colored pits 9within the members 3 and an annular band I 0 encircling each memberabout an axis extending longitudinally through the connecting member 5.The pits may be colored in any suitable way, such as by the applicationof a coating of paint, lacquer, or varnish, but it is preferable thatthe color effect be derived from phosphorescent material in such coatingor secured in the pits by a suitable adhesive. The band It may be formedof a colored section of material integrally united with the otherportions of the members 3 of a contrasting color. Alternatively, theseornamental bands may be formed inside or outside the members 3 byapplication of an appropriately colored paint, varnish, lacquer, or thelike. The bands may be opaque, but are preferably light-transmitting Inone form of this invention, the bands themselves may be colorless andthe other portions of the members 3 may be colored and eithertransparent, translucent, or opaque. The design ill may be made of aphosphorescent paint of a color the same as or contrasting with that ofthe loose particles of luminous material 8 and the color of the pits 9may be the same as that of design l!) or of the material 8 or it may beof still another color. The particles 8 may be a phosphorescent materialhaving a single color or various colors in an amorphous or crystallinestate in the presence or absence of impurities which act as activators.Gravel, dried beans, or similar granular masses may be coated with apaint or lacquer containing the phosphorescent material to obtaingreater distribution of a given amount of phosphorescent material.Alternatively, the particles 8 may comprise a mixture of such anamorphous or crystalline phosphorescent material with nonluminousparticles, either of amorphous or crys-- talline character. Especiallyinteresting effects are obtained by mixing the luminescent particleswith transparent, colorless or colored crystals or mixtures thereof.

Figure 3 shows an envelope I I the internal surface of which hasnumerous indentations, pits or recesses l2 which may be scattered overthe entire surface or, as shown, over one or more preselected portionsthereof. The pits may be regularly or irregularly distributed and thepitted areas may be irregular or follow a regular pattern.Phosphorescent material may be adhesively mounted or deposited in thepits. As specifically shown the envelope II is of transparent materialhaving two clear, nearly hemispherical segments separated by anornamental band 13 (similar to the band H! of Figure 2) in which thepits 12 are regularly disposed. The envelope also contains luminous ornon-luminous pebbles or particles M. The particles 14 may comprise amixture of luminous and non-luminous particles. The nearlyhemi-spherical segments may be colorless or colored, the same ordifierently, and the band l3 may be clear or of the same or contrastingcolor with respect to either or both segments. By depositing thephosphorescent material in pits, such material, which may take the formof a single large crystal, is protected from the rubbing and abrasiveaction of the particles, pebbles, or the like l4.

When the envelope in this embodiment (Figure 3) is of a thin sheet ofnon-resilient flexible material, it may be manipulated and distortedquite freely. When of an elastic material, distortion is more diflicultbut still feasible and accompanied by fascinating effects. In addition,it can be used as a bouncing ball or balloon even in the dark. When of arigid material, manipulation by rolling or shaking yields interestingeffects. By proper selection of granule size and material, the shakingmay either be substantially noiseless or accompanied by a distinctrattling to add further interest.

Figure 4 shows a manipulative toy of the cootie type comprising a closedenvelope formed by a base l5, preferably of opaque but pleasinglycolored material, such as wood, plastic, or heavy cardboard, and atransparent box-like cover I6 of a fairly rigid material, e. g.,plastic, glass, or the like, fastened to the base, as by beingadhesively secured to the sides thereof. The

cover is preferably colorless though it can be colored if desired. Thebase I5 is provided with recesses or depressions l'l adapted to receivethe ends of the freely rolling or movable elements or cooties 18 whenthe toy is properly manipulated. Phosphorescent material is deposited inthe recesses I! and adhered therein by an ad hesive, varnish, paint, orthe like. The cooties 18 are either coated with phosphorescent ma.-terial of the same or different color as that in recesses I! or they maybe transparent capsules containing particles or granules of suchphosphorescent materials.

In Figure 5 an hourglass is shown comprising a transparent envelopehaving two conical chambers I9, one above the other, connected by anintercommunicating passage 20. The envelope may be held in a framecomprising end plates 2| connected by two or more tie-rods or posts 22.A removable plug or stopper 23 may be provided in an opening in one ofthe plates 2| to permit of the introduction of more or less particulatematerial 24 some or all of which is phosphorescent. This embodiment isuseful not only as a toy but also as a bona fide device for timing,either in the light or dark, such as in photographic dark rooms, theparticles being in such case all of phosphorescent material andsubstantially the same size to assure accuracy and reproducibility ofthe period required for flowing of the particles from one chamber to theother. Optionally, there may be provided a cylindrical shield or screen25 of light absorbing or opaque character which may carry guides 26adapted to have a sliding fit around posts 22. The screen 25 is half theheight of the envelope in order to mask or cut off light emittedradially outwardly from the lower of the conical chambers. When thehourglass is inverted, the screen is slid to its lower position.

Figures 6 to 8 show cocktail stirrers formed of a transparent ortranslucent tube 21 terminating in a foot 28 having a flat or slightlyconcave upper surface 29 adapted to lift the cherry, olive, or the likefrom the bottom of the cocktail glass. The tubes form closed envelopeswhich contain particles or granules 30 some or all of which are ofphosphorescent material. When some only of the particles arephosphorescent, the remainder are non-luminous, but may be: opaque,translucent, or transparent; and colorless or colored uniformly orirregularly; and highly reflective or not. The phosphorescent particlesin the tubes may all emit the same color or they may severally emitvarious colors; and non-luminous particles therein may also be of thesame color as the color emitted by the phosphorescent particles, or of adifferent color or of several different colors. The particles may beadhered to the inside wall of the tube 21 or they may be looselydisposed therein. The tube may be completely or only partially full, asdesired. When only partly full, interesting effects may be obtained bytilting the rod to cause the particles to move back and forth therein.

One of the best ways of making this stirrer is to cut a desired lengthof light-transmittingtubmg of glass or plastic, insert the luminousmaterial after whatever blowing of the foot desired. is completed, andfinally sealing the ends. If desired, the entire inside surface of thetubing may be coated with the luminous material.

The hollow chamber within the tube 21 may be of substantially uniformdiameter and extend throughout e body of the stirrer tube as in Figure7, or even into the foot as in Figure 8. Still another variation isshown in Figure 6 in which the tube comprises two or more chambers 31,32, etc., each adjacent pair being connected by a, bore or passage 33 ofreduced diameter as compared to that of chambers 31, 32, etc. Some orall of the particles 39 are of sufficiently small size to pass freelythrough the passage 33 between the several chambers. Interestin effectscan be obtained by providing a mixture of phosphorescent particlesemitting various colors with or without non-luminous particles. 7

A stock of such stirring rods may be stored, after cleaning, inproximity to a suitable source of excitation light so that when the rodis withdrawn for use it immediately emits light and provides a source ofinterest and amusement in a darkened room while also providing a warningsign or indication of the exact position of a glass, whether full orempty, that has been set down and might otherwise be knocked over. Arelatively short excitation period of a few minutes is adequate toproduce light emission during the entire period required for theconsumption of the cocktail or other drink, and may even serve forseveral drinks, although a freshly excited rod may easily be providedfor each drink, as desired.

In all embodiments, it is preferred to use crystals of as large a sizeas is consistent with the structure and dimensions of the envelope andor any intercommunicating passage through which it is desired that theparticles or selected ones thereof pass. When the envelope isnecessarily of rather small size, and this is especially true of thestirring rods, for example, it is desirable to use crystals that havebeen fired to the proper initial size and need no comminution to reducethem to a size that will enable them to readily fit within the envelope.Such comminution reduces the brilliance and severe comminution may evendestroy the luminescence entirely. This is another reason for mountingthe luminescent crystals (either in the envelope or in a movable objecttherein) in recesses sufficiently deep to protect the crystals fromimpact against the envelope or by movable objects within the envelope,particularly if such envelope or objects respectively are harder andless frangible than the phosphorescent crystals.

The individual particles or granules may also be protectively coatedwith a lacquer, varnish, or resin, such as by dropping thephosphorescent particles through a fine spray or mist of the coatingmaterial formed in a heated atmosphere by an atomizer and then allowingfurther descent of the discrete coated particles below the mist into acooling atmosphere to'set the coating before the coated granules finallycome to rest in a heap, so that they remain as discrete particles.

In all embodiments the envelope may be completely clear and transparent,colorless or of any color desired. Or it may be translucent. It may beclear in parts and translucent or opaque in other parts regularly orirregularly arranged with respect to the clear part or parts. Thediffusing or opacifying material may be distributed through thethickness of the envelope or coated on the'outside or inside surfaces,and such material may be itself a phosphorescent material, or it may bemixed with such a luminous material. The envelope is preferably sealed sas to exclude moisture and to prevent escape of gases such as hydrogensulfide; This increases the life of many of the phosphorescentmaterials. For example, calcium sulfide is extremely sensitive tomoisture and various forms of strontium sulfide, which are extremelyvaluable because of their brilliance and persistence of luminescence,decompose with development of hydrogen sulfide. The entrapment of thisgas is desirable not only because of its toxicity but in order toestablish an equilibrium to retard the decomposition. In any event, thesealing is preferably done while normal atmospheric pressure prevailswithin the envelope being closed. A dry gas, such as air, carbondioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, or helium may be present in the envelopeduring this sealing. 1

Also, the luminous objects, particles and so on, may have a single coloror a variegated color in any of the embodiments, and they may be mixedwith non-luminous objects, particles, and so on. Whenever an object isprovided with a coating of phosphorescent material, that coating may beprotected with a subsequently applied tough, transparent coating of aclearlacquer, colorless or colored. For the luminous effects, anyphosphorescent material may be used, such as zinc sulfide, calciumsulfide, barium silicate, strontium sulfide, and magnesium tungstate.

The envelope of the present invention is adapted to be hermeticallysealed, and, if desired it may be evacuated before sealing or an inertgas may be introduced. It is preferred to have ate mospheric pressure orapproximately that within the envelope to reduce the liability tobreakage and particularly to avoid the .explosions which occur whenevacuated vessels are broken. By so enclosing the phosphorescentmaterial, it is protected from loss or deterioration and the largercrystals having correspondingly reater brilliance and intensity may beenclosed loosely within the envelope or lightly adhered to a coating onthe inside surface of the envelope.

The present invention thus provides a manipulable toy or other objectthat is attractive and interesting t the child or adult not only indaylight but also in the dark. Any of the toys of this invention can bepresented to the child on going to bed at night and provides anabsorbing subject for the child to manipulate. The, capacity ofever-changeability on manipulation assures rapt absorption until thechild is lost in,

in sleep. The gradual dimming in the dark of the brilliance of thephosphorescent components of the toy is. conducive to gradual relaxationand surrender to sleep in an entirely natural fashion. In all of theembodiments, a special handle may be provided to facilitate manipulationand to prevent interference of the manipulators hand with the luminouspattern. If desired, however, the handle may be omitted.

Besides serving as toys, many of the embodiments of this invention canalso serve as orna mental objects, such as Christmas tree ornaments. Theembodiment of Figure 3 is particularly useful for this purpose and whensoused, themovable particles It may be omitted and instead, aphosphorescent material may be adhered to a smooth inside or outsidesurface thereof over which it may be distributed uniformly throughout orin regular or irregular patterns.

It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made Withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A fascinating device intended for ornamental or amusement purposescomprising a trans-' lucent'to transparent hollow envelope enclosing ahollow chamber, a phosphorescent material enclosed therein and onlypartially filling the hollow chamber, and means comprising a transparentcoating on the material for protecting the phosphorescent materialagainst physical disintegration.

' 2. A device according to claim 1 in which the envelope is a stirringrod.

3. A device according to claim 1 in which the phosphorescent material isadhered to the inside surface of the envelope, and all parts of thedevice are fixedly secured together.

4. A device according to claim 1 in which particles of thephosphorescent material are movable within the envelope, and suchparticles are individually protected by a tough, transparent coatingfrom disintegration caused by impact forces resulting from manipulationof the device.

5. A toy in accordance with claim 1 in the form of a spherical envelopecontaining some of the phosphorescent material loosely therein.

' 6. A fascinating device intended for ornamental or amusement purposescomprising a translucent to transparent hollow envelope enclosing ahollow chamber, a phosphorescent material enclosed therein and onlypartially filling the hollow chamber, and means for protecting thephosphorescent material against physical disintegration, thephosphorescent material being deposited and adhered to recesses formedin the inside surface of the envelope and all parts of the device beingfixedly secured together.

7. YA fascinating device intended for ornamental or amusement purposescomprising a translucent to transparent hollow envelope enclosing ahollow chamber, a phosphorescent material enclosed therein and onlypartially filling the hollow chamber, and means for protecting thephosphorescent material against physical disintegration, some particlesof the phosphorescent material being deposited in fixed position inrecesses in the inside surface of the envelope and other particlesthereof being loosely contained in the envelope.

8. A fascinating device intended for ornamental or amusement purposescomprising a translucent to transparenthollow envelope enclosing ahollow chamber, a phosphorescent material enclosed therein and onlypartially filling the hollow chamber, and means for protecting thephosphorescent material against physical disintegration, some particlesof the phosphorescent material being deposited in fixed position inrecesses in the inside surface of the envelope, other particles thereofbeing loosely contained in the enevlope, and additional particles ofnonluminous material being loosely contained in the envelope.

9. A device comprising a hollow envelope having a transparent wall andenclosing two chambers connected by a narrow passage, a phosphorescentmaterial enclosed therein and only partially filling the space withinthe envelope, at least some of the particles of said phosphorescentmaterial being of a size less than the diameter of the narrow passage,and means comprising a transparent coating on the material forprotecting the phosphorescent material against physical disintegration.

10. A device according to claim 9 in which the envelope is in the formof a childs rattle and contains a gas at atmospheric pressure.

11. A device according to claim 9 which also 8 contains particles of asize larger than the'diameter of the narrow passage.

12. A device according to claim 9 in which the envelope is in the formof an hourglass, said device being provided at each end with a baseadapted to support the chambers in superposition.

13. A cootie game device comprising an envelope having a base and atransparent cover enclosing a chamber therebetween, recesses in thebase'in communication with the chamber, particles of phosphorescentmaterial deposited in fixed position in the recesses, means forprotecting said phosphorescent material against physical disintegration,and at least one rollable element in the chamber.

14. A device comprising a translucent to transparent, hermeticallysealed, hollow envelope enclosing a hollow chamber, a phosphorescentmaterial enclosed therein and only partially filling the hollow chamber,said chamber containing a gas 'at substantially atmospheric pressurethere in, and means comprising a transparent coating on the material forprotecting the phosphorescent material against physical disintegration.

15. A device according to claim 14 in' which particles of thephosphorescent material are movable within the envelope, and suchparticles are protected by a tough, transparent coating 16. A device asdefined in claim 14 in which the gas is an inert gas.

17. A device as defined in claim 14 in which the gas comprises hydrogensulfide.

18. A device as defined in claim 14 in which the gas comprises hydrogensulfide and is free of moisture.

19. A device comprising a translucent to trans-- parent, hermeticallysealed, hollow envelope enclosing a hollow chamber, a phosphorescentmaterial enclosed therein and only partially filling the hollow chamber,said chamber containing a gas at substantially atmospheric pressuretherein, and means for protecting the'phosphosescent material againstphysical disintegration, the phosphorescent material being deposited andadhered to recesses formed in the inside surface of the envelope, andall parts of the device being fixedly secured together.

29. A device comprising a translucent to transparent, hermeticallysealed, hollow envelope enclosing a hollow chamber, a phosphorescentmaterial enclosed therein and only partially filling the hollow chamber,said chamber containing a gas at substantially atmospheric pressurethere in, and means for protecting the phosphorescent material againstphysical disintegration, some particles of the phosphorescent materialbeing deposited in fixed position in recesses in the inside surface ofthe envelope and other particles thereof being loosely contained in theenvelope.

MATHILDA RAMONA HOLLIHAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

